Case studies

Galway company conquers UK market

Lurtel LTD was setup in January 2009 by two Galway-based individuals – Paddy Tamplin and Jeremy Pagden. At the time they were both employed within the construction industry and 'saw the writing on the wall' with respect to their positions in the company. Jeremy left the company in April of 2009 and was soon followed by Paddy in May of the same year.

Initially Lurtel LTD was going to develop various on- and off-line software technologies for sale to businesses in Ireland and abroad. Following a period of market research a 'niche' market was found for 'online web technologies' which very quickly determined the direction that Lurtel LTD was going to follow. Lurtel LTD started trading as "Schools Websites" and in September 2009 the company hit the road selling innovative web technologies to schools across County Galway.

Strategically the Directors knew that to make a success of the company, they would need to expand beyond the boundaries of County Galway and eventually beyond the borders of Ireland. To this end they approached Breda Fox of Galway County Enterprise Board to see what resources might be available to support the company in their expansion.

Breda and her team at the Enterprise Board were invaluable in their support of the company goals and objectives. Very quickly Breda understood the over-all objectives of the company and provided support in applying for financial assistance for the company. Initially, Lurtel secured five employments grants from the Enterprise Board.

This enabled them to expand from the initial two Directors to a full complement of employees totally 10. Most recently, in the company's drive to expand into Northern Ireland the UK, the Enterprise Board have provided Lurtel with a feasibility grant which is allowing the company explore the match between their current product-offering and the markets that potentially exist outside of the Republic of Ireland.

At the date of writing of this case study, Lurtel employ ten staff based in their Galway head office and on the road sales executives. They have clients from all educational walks of life and have clients the length and breadth of the country. They also have a small number of clients in Northern Ireland and the UK.

None of this would have been possible without the fantastic support provided by Breda and her team.